1st in Coffee sells professional quality espresso machines coffee makers and coffee supplies. We’ve been in the espress machine bussiness for many years and were here to tell you that it’s no secret that espressomakers can range dramatically in price from as low as $20 for a stovetop maker or from $100 to more than $1,000 for a stand-alone espressomachines.

First, you should not immediately cast aside the Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker as a cheap imitation. In fact, this is the type that most Italian families every day and they do not feel the need to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a large machine when a $20 machine that has not changed in 100 years suits them just fine. It depends on your espresso astethic and the degree to which you like a creamier tasting espresso, that a more costly espresso machine gives. The difference between a $100 espressomachine and one that costs $300 to $1,000 is usually the brand, design, and especially how it touches the water, and ultimately how it tastes.

A less expensive machine runs hot water through a piece of metal. This can get the water hot, but it does not create the pressure used in a professional machine. For some espresso prepared in this way is the way they like it and that’s fine.

In contrast, a better machine, more expensive machine actually contain a small kettle of water that boils and as the pressure builds, is capable of doing a better job of extracting the coffee essence from the combination of temperature and pressure. The better machine have boilers with more complex and arguable better espresso mechanisms leading to a creamier better taste at a higher price.

When deciding to buy, try drinking coffee from all three types of machines and see if you can tell the difference. Then buy the least expensive espressomachine that is acceptable!